What the back pages say: Cardiff head of recruitment told to stand down by Home Office

DAILY MAIL

Cardiff's controversial appointment of Alisher Apsalyamov as their head of recruitment took a farcical turn when the 23-year-old was told the stand down by the Home Office.

Also: Joel Tomkins' parents will be at Twickenham on Saturday to see the Saracens centre make his England debut against Australia - rather than watch their younger son Sam play in the Rugby League World Cup...

And: Brendan Rodgers had barely settled in his seat when he was dealt a blunt question that outlined the challenge facing Liverpool this season.

THE SUN

Yaya Toure was on Thursday night accused of lying about the racist abuse he suffered in Moscow.

Patrice Evra has demanded 10 wins in a row from Manchester United to revitalise their season.

Also: Daniel Sturridge has taken a swipe at Chelsea by insisting he had been transformed as a player by finding a club prepared to believe in him...

And: They will cross swords this weekend in a top-of-the-table battle, but Mikel Arteta has nothing but respect for Luis Suarez.

DAILY EXPRESS

Joe Hart's confidence could be shot to pieces with dire consequences for England if he is axed by Manchester City.

Also: Cardiff's turbulent Premier League season took another twist as new head of recruitment, Alisher Apsalyamov, was forced to stand down following a visa probe...

And: Mike Phillips is aiming to unleash his frustrations on the pitch after being warned by Wales over his future conduct.

DAILY STAR

Joe Hart is being made to sweat over whether he will be axed on Saturday.

Also: Manchester United have abandoned plans to sign Poland striker Robert Lewandowski...

And: Cardiff's turbulent season took another twist on Thursday as their controversial new head of recruitment was forced to step down.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Lee Dickson has revealed that it was during his regular long drives back to Northampton having been released early from England's training camp in Bagshot in Surrey in Test match weeks last season that he formulated his plan to resurrect his international career.

Also: Luis Suarez will face Arsene Wenger on Saturday with Brendan Rodgers insisting the Uruguayan's move to Arsenal was 'never going to happen'...

And: Cardiff's new head of recruitment, Alisher Apsalyamov, is under investigation by the Home Office.

THE TIMES

As England prepare to embark on what Stuart Lancaster called the defining year of his reign to date, the head coach insists that there can be no excuses before the three QBE internationals against Australia, Argentina and New Zealand.

Also: Ben Foster's hopes of heading to Brazil as England's first-choice goalkeeper will not be hampered by his injury, which will deny him the opportunity to stake a claim to usurp Joe Hart in this month's friendlies, according to Steve Clarke, the West Brom head coach.

THE GUARDIAN

Vincent Tan's level of interference in his role as Cardiff's owner has extended to signing a player without the prior consent of Malky Mackay or any of the manager's recruitment and scouting staff.

Also: Manchester United have been running the rule over David Beckham's son, Brooklyn, with as view to offering him a place in their academy, the Guardian can reveal...

And: Jack Rodwell has suggested that Manchester City's squad still regard Joe Hart as their number one goalkeeper - even if Manuel Pellegrini begs to differ.

THE INDEPENDENT

Stuart Lancaster may have done a brilliant job in taking the drama out of England's rugby crisis following the pratfall at the last World Cup, but the red-rose coach is planning some big productions over the next three weekends of international action at Twickenham.

Also: Cardiff's controversial head of recruitment, Alisher Apsalyamov, has been forced to stop working for the club while Home Office investigates his work permit situation.

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